National Republican., 1887-01-20
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
AMERICAN FISHERMEN AND FISHING
VESSELS MUST BE PROTECTED.
Authority TO Be Given to tho President
New Bridge at st. Louis-Fiiibuster-
ing Against the Blair Education Bill
Ihtsrstate Commerce.

Mr.. Edmunds, from the committee on
foreign relations, reported bill to author
ize the President Of the United States to
protect and defend the rights OF American
fishing vessels, American fishermen, Ameri-
can trading and other vessels, in certain
cases, and for other purposes.
He said that he also had written report
on the subject, which he had been directed
by the committee to submit, together with
documents, papers, evidence, &c. The re-
port had been all drawn up, considered,
and agreed to, but he had been authorized
to go over IL again, In the sense OF editinA
IL, to see that the punctuation, Sc, were
right. He would, therefore, submit the re-
port little later. He gave notice that just
as soon as the bill and report we're printed,
60 that senators could examine them, he
should ask the Senate TO take up the bill
and proceed with II, and dispose of 1t at
the earliest possible day.
On motion Of Mr. Vest, the Senate bill
authorizing the construction OF a bridge
over the Mississippi river at or near ST.
Louis (between the Eads bridge aud the
mouth Of the Missouri riverl was taken up
and several amendments reported to it.
Mr.. Allison said that the senator from
Missouri (Mr. Vcst) and himself had had
some consultation respecting the changes
to he made In the bridge charter. The only
matter about which they had consulted was
as TO whether high or low bridge should
be built Those who were Interested in
navigating the Mississippi river opposed the
construction at this point Of a pivot pier
bridge, and the promoters Of this enterprise
had now changed the plan 80 as to have
high bridge, with two spans of at least 500
feet In length each and an additional span
OF 800 feet
Mr.. Hoar questioned the proprlety Of
provision In the til that no bridge should
be erected, in future, within two miles
above or below the proposed bridge.
Mr.. Vest explained that that was a neces-
sary and proper provision. lie said that
the bill would allow any railroad company
touse the bridge; and If the terms could not
be agreed upon, the Secretary OF War was
to determine the question.
The object Of the people Of st. Louis was
to erect practically free bridge. Their
experience In the recent strike had taught
them lesson which they could never for
get--when all transportation across the
river was stopped, except by ferry. Five
dollars q car wasnow charged on the Eads'
bridge. Mr. Gould held the majority Of its
stock (the English stockholders having al
most given away their interest In it), and
received per cent. on eighteen millions
as net profit on an investment that had
cost him between three and four millions.
The erection Of the proposed bridge was an
absolute commercial necessity, not only to
the people of st. Louis, but to the entire
country.
Mr.. Ingalls, argued that the inhibition as
to bridge within two miles above or below
the proposed structure should also apply to
the new bridge, and that It should not be
within two miles OF the Eads structure, sug-
gestiDg that otherwise the charter might be
used for Matchmaking purposes. He offered
an amendment to that effect.
The amendment offered by Mr.. ingalls,
was agreed to, and all the amendments
offered by MIR. Vest were also agreed TO-,
and the bill thus amended was passed.
On motion Of Mr.. Hampton, and after
speeches in its favor by Messrs. Hoar and
CoDger, the Senate bill appropriating $780,
eco to expedite the completion Of the
Charleston jetties (the appropriation to be
available Immediately was taken up and
passed.
A resolution offered by Mr. Call on Jan.
was taken up for consideration, declaring
that the land grant for railroads from Fer
Dandina to Tampa, and from st. Johns
river to Pensacola should be forfeited as to
all lands not earned before the time fixed
for the expiration Of the grant May, 1856,
and directing the Attorney General to
bring suits for iDjunetions against all cor
porations and agents attempting to sell
lands embraced in grants while bills for
their forfeiture are pending before Con-
gres. Mr.. Call addressed the Senate In ia
vor of the resolution.
After speaking for about half an hour
Mr.. Call yielded to Mr.. Edmunds, on whose
motion the Senate, at 2;25, went into
secret session.
The doors were reopened at 5:i5, and
the Senate adjourned.